Nerd & Tie Comments Policy

So while we wish we could just trust everyone to behave, it’s become clear that we need to post the rules that posters in our comment section need to follow. If you stick with these, your comments will remain up. While we believe in freedom of speech, we also are not obligated to provide you with a vehicle to express it. There are plenty of other options for you on the internet.

No Use of Multiple Aliases

Okay, so that’s not really a problem with our current Disqus comment section, but it still exists as a possibility. Anyone using multiple names or pretending to be more than one person will find themselves fairly quickly banned.

Also, if you have been banned, and you try to come back under a different name (or send your buddy to specifically post on your behalf), that account will be banned too. Banned is banned, no getting around it.

Do Not Post Libelous Materials

This should be one I really don’t have to explain. If we find out you have committed libel in our comment section, we’re probably going to ban you.

Bigotry Will Not Be Tolerated

Use of hate speech against any race, religion, gender or sexual orientation will not be permitted on this site. Even if it’s over something not on that list, you may find the ban hammer coming down fast.

No Spamming

Use for commercial sales or spamming is strictly forbidden.

You Must Be Here For the Community

Sometimes we post about hot button issues, and this can attract readers from outside the con and geek communities. That’s fine, and as long as we think you’re here in good faith, we’ll likely allow your comments to remain.

What these articles also attract are hit and run commenters, who search the web and exclusively post about specific, hot button issues. We do not allow posts from these sorts of users, as we do not feel they accurately represent the community we are trying to serve. This website is not your soapbox.

Read the Article You’re Commenting On

I mean, if something is clearly stated in the text above, don’t pretend like you don’t have that information. If you haven’t read the article, consider keeping quiet until you have.

Back Up What You Say

If you say something, make sure you can provide evidence to back it up when challenged. We probably won’t ban you for that, but we will probably make fun of you.

Obey Wheaton’s Law

If you’re unfamiliar, it’s “Don’t Be a Dick.” Acting like a dick will get you kicked.

We Don’t Owe You a Platform

Just like you can kick someone out of your house if they insult your friend in your living room, we have no problem booting you if you can’t behave. You may have freedom of speech, but so do we — and we are under no obligation to host yours. I’m sure you can find some subreddit to whine in, or maybe you could start your own website to compain about us being “so unfair.”

You wouldn’t be the first.

Effectively, when you join our comment system, you’re coming into our house. We expect you to be polite to us, our friends, pet the cat and/or dog, and not be a dick. If that’s not too much for you, we can be a pretty great group of (nongender specific) dudes.

This List is Incomplete

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Right now AnimeCon.org/Chrono LC CEO Ryan Kopf (who runs Anime Midwest, Animinneapolis, Meta Con, Con Alt Delete, Yoi Con, and several other events) is suing us in the state of Illinois over articles we wrote about him here on Nerd & Tie. Please consider contributing to our legal fund so we can continue to fight this case.

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